A walk through the east of Leipzig
Eisenbahnstraße in Leipzig is also known beyond the borders of the Saxon metropolis. It has undergone a remarkable and exciting transformation in recent years, as it has developed from a social hotspot into a hip, trendy area that delights locals and visitors alike. Reason enough to take a closer look at the diverse range of culinary specialties, shopping opportunities and leisure options in the east of Leipzig.
History of Eisenbahnstraße
Eisenbahnstraße in Leipzig, which has since been renamed Ernst-Thälmann-Straße, has existed since 1837 and is considered an important connecting road in the east of the city. It has a length of almost 2.5 kilometers, is located in the Leipzig district of Volkmarsdorf and borders on the districts of Reudnitz, Neustadt, Neuschönefeld and Sellerhausen. At the time of its foundation, it formed part of the first German long-distance railroad line and ran from Leipzig to Dresden. In 1879, however, the track was moved a few hundred meters further north, where it still lies today.
During the GDR era, the street was renamed Ernst-Thälmann-Straße, as it was mainly home to members of the working class. After reunification, it was mainly immigrants who settled in the district in the east of Leipzig. The street had a negative reputation due to its high crime rate and, thanks to the low rents, it was mainly students and artists who moved there. However, after the Gründerzeit buildings, which had been unused for decades, were renovated, the street’s quality of life showed a clear upward trend. More and more stores opened in Eisenbahnstraße, the district became increasingly popular and the multicultural character of the neighborhood creates a very special atmosphere.
Life in the multicultural trendy district
A stroll along Eisenbahnstraße is a trip to foreign lands, as the district is a melting pot of cultures. From the popular kebab to Syrian bridal fashions and oriental hookahs to Polish sausages and Vietnamese specialties, culinary and other specialties from all over the world can be found here. Many small Arabic and Asian supermarkets also testify to the enormous cultural diversity in this well-known street in the east of Leipzig, and the regular flea market in Eisenbahnstraße is also very popular with visitors and locals alike.
Economic boom in the east of Leipzig
The street in the east of Leipzig has a turbulent and eventful history. After reunification, many houses stood empty here. After these were refurbished and renovated in recent years, young students and families increasingly moved here and more and more cafés, stores, bars and restaurants opened in Eisenbahnstraße in Leipzig, the district flourished more and more. There are now rumors that the area could compete with the trendy district of Plagwitz. In general, the street has been completely renovated and social projects have sprung up.
This urban renewal is having an effect, as the east of Leipzig has seen a greater increase in population in recent years than any other district in the city. The district also has the use of funding from federal and state programs such as “Socially Integrative City” and EU funding for integrated urban development to thank for this. This development is far from complete – a fact that opens up attractive opportunities for investors. Due to the positive yield forecasts, buying an apartment in Leipzig’s Eisenbahnstrasse is a sensible investment.
Eisenbahnstraße in Leipzig can be found in the east of the city. It is almost 2.5 km long, is considered the most important connecting road in the city and borders on various districts of the Saxon metropolis, including Neustadt, Reudnitz and Sellerhausen.
The street owes its name to the fact that the famous railroad line that connected Leipzig with numerous other places used to run along here. The first German long-distance railroad used to run here. After the railroad line was moved further north, the street was created here, whose name is a reminder of the district’s railroad history.
The street in the east of Leipzig was long regarded as a social hotspot and criminal hotspot in the city. In various television reports, it was even known as the “worst street in Germany”. However, this is now a thing of the past. Thanks to the positive development of recent years and the various development projects that have been initiated here, the reputation of the district has changed considerably. Like the whole of East Leipzig, the area around the former Ernst-Thälmann-Straße is visibly coming to life and is developing into a trendy neighborhood. The entire area has also become much safer. This is also thanks to the fact that a weapons ban zone has been in place here since 20189. Although the problems have not yet been completely eliminated, the street has become much safer compared to the past.
The most famous street in the east of Leipzig is in the Volkmarsdorf district.
Fans of international cuisine in particular get their money’s worth in the district thanks to the culinary diversity. Turkish and Syrian restaurants in Eisenbahnstraße in Leipzig are particularly recommended. There is also a wide range of trendy cafés and meeting places. One of the most popular is Café Kune, which not only offers delicious snacks and treats, but also hosts regular events. If you like kebabs but want to avoid meat and other animal products, you should pay a visit to Vleischerei.
The store offers hearty, popular dishes such as gyros, goulash, burgers and currywurst, but in a purely plant-based version. Also known for its delicious burgers is the Brothers Café, where handmade specialties from the stone oven are available. The Kulturapotheke, or KuApo for short, offers delicious solid and liquid specialties, where you can stop in from the afternoon until late in the evening and enjoy a real trendy atmosphere.
